EU: 19th package of sanctions against Russia
October 23rd, the Council adopted a sweeping 19th package of further 69 individual listings and numerous economic restrictive measures targeting key sectors which fuel Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including energy, finance and the military industrial complex. The Council is also strengthening control over the movement of Russian diplomats across the EU and taking further measures against those responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
As part of the package, the Council also imposed further measures on Belarus to restrict the latter’s support for the Russian war effort.
The 19th package contains the following key elements:
- Energy
Ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the EU, starting January 2027 for long-term contracts, and within six months for short-term contracts, and tightens the existing transaction ban on two major Russian state-owned oil producers (Rosneft and Gazprom Neft); 117 additional vessel listings; Extension of the port infrastructure ban. - Trade
The Council has identified 45 new entities directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex by, inter alia, enabling the circumvention of export restrictions on computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, microelectronics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced technology items. These entities will be subject to tighter export restrictions with regard to dual-use goods, as well as items which might generally contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence sector. 17 of these entities are located in third countries other than Russia (12 in China, including Hong Kong, three in India and two in Thailand).
The EU has also agreed to expand the existing export ban, to include electronic components, rangefinders, additional chemicals used in the preparation of propellants and additional metals, oxides and alloys used in the manufacturing of military systems. - Other
Measures targeting Russia's Special Economic Zones (SEZs); Service bans: As part of the new measures, the EU introduces service bans blocking Russian access to advanced digital capabilities within the Union, including certain space-based services and AI services; Prohibition of re-insurance: The new measures prohibit re-insurance services regarding vessels and aircraft of the Russian government or Russian persons for up to five years after their sale to third countries; Russian diplomats: The new measures introduce an obligation for Russian diplomats, travelling across the EU beyond their country of accreditation, to inform the relevant EU Member State in advance. Source
EU renews Moldova sanctions until October 2026
On 13 October, the Council of the European Union decided to prolong the application of individual restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons by another year, until 16 October 2026.
Initially, the Council adopted the legal framework for restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons on 15 October 2018. On 20 May 2025, the Council decided additionally to impose restrictive measures on three Russian entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons by Russian troops in Ukraine.
In total, the restrictive measures apply to 25 persons and 6 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed. Source
EU to renew ISIL/Al-Qaida sanctions until October 2026
The Council renewed the EU autonomous restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them, prolonging their duration for a further year, until 31 October 2026. The autonomous list currently in place applies to 15 persons and 7 groups. All those designated are subject to an asset freeze, while the individuals are also under a travel ban to the EU. Additionally, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. These restrictive measures are complementary to those imposed by the UN Security Council against ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda. Source
Update to the UK Sanctions List
17 October, the UK Government has amended 1 designation under the UN ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime. This reflects the amendment made by the UN Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee on 16 October.
Individual amended under the UN ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime:
| Name | UN Reference Number | OFSI ID | Unique ID |
| AHMAD HUSSAIN AL-SHARAA | QDi.317 | 12883 | AQD0115 |
Thursday 23 October, the UK Government has made 4 variations and 2 administrative amendments under the Russia Sanctions Regime.
Variations:
| Name | OFSI ID | Unique ID |
| Aleksandr Aleksandrovich SHULGIN | 15272 | RUS1317 |
| Alisher USMANOV | 14210 | RUS0266 |
| USM Holdings Limited | 15877 | RUS1821 |
| Mihajlo PERENČEVIĆ | 15424 | RUS1485 |
Administrative Amendments:
| Name | OFSI ID | Unique ID |
| Namina DADASHOVA | 17173 | RUS3068 |
Update to the UK Sanctions List
8 October, the UK Government has made administrative amendments to 2 entities designated under the Iran Nuclear sanctions regime.
Furthermore, 7 individuals designated under the UN ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime have had administrative amendments, reflecting recent updates made by the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida UN Security Council Sanctions Committee.
UK notice to exporters on removal of Armenia & Azerbaijan arms embargo
The UK government laid a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) in Parliament on 13 October 2025, announcing the full lifting of the UK arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan. The UK will no longer apply the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) arms embargo to exports to both countries. Source
US removes 48 people and entities from Balkans sanctions list
The US has removed 48 people and entities from its Balkans sanctions list under EO 14033 including most of those designated by the US in January 2025 for organising the commemoration of “Republika Srpska Day”, in contravention of the Dayton Peace Agreement. People and entities who have been removed from the US sanctions list today (29 October 2025) include:
- Milorad Dodik, the former President of the Republika Srpska, and members of his family including Igor Dodik and Gorica Dodik. Mr Dodik stepped down as President of the Republika Srpska after the he was sentenced to one year in prison by the Bosnian federal court. Companies linked to the Dodik family have also been removed from the list.
- Staša Košarac, the Bosnian Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, a member of Mr Dodik’s political party.
- Republika Srpksa government officials including Nenad Stevandic, Srebrenka Golic and Alen Seranic.
Nimbus Innovations d.o.o. Banja Luka, a BiH-based information technology services company.